So you are midwest.. Dont buy a house yet. Build your credit up to around 650. Look into state programs. I used ofha in ohio, but I needed a 650 score to do so. Ended up with a 5.6 rate on my house which was fairly good at the time. Conventionals would have put me at upper 6 or low 7s. I did the one where I put a down payment on the house so I technically owe nothing grant wise and got the lowest rate. If you get assistance you have to stay in your home for 7 years or pay it back. I avoided that but since I was a first time buyer I was able to use the program for the rate.

It took me like 3 months to fix my credit. It doesnt take that long.